Growth factor stimulation improves the structure and properties of scaffold-free engineered auricular cartilage constructs.

ABSTRACT: The reconstruction of the external ear to correct congenital deformities or repair following trauma remains a significant challenge in reconstructive surgery. Previously, we have developed a novel approach to create scaffold-free, tissue engineering elastic cartilage constructs directly from a small population of donor cells. Although the developed constructs appeared to adopt the structural appearance of native auricular cartilage, the constructs displayed limited expression and poor localization of elastin. In the present study, the effect of growth factor supplementation (insulin, IGF-1, or TGF-β1) was investigated to stimulate elastogenesis as well as to improve overall tissue formation. Using rabbit auricular chondrocytes, bioreactor-cultivated constructs supplemented with either insu

SUBMITTER: Rosa RG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4134285 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature